Moscow Hopes Europe Remains United against US Pressure on Iran Deal

Moscow Hopes Europe Remains United against US Pressure on Iran Deal

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Tuesday that European powers may change their positions on remaining in the nuclear deal with Tehran.

The US forfeited all its rights under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program by exiting from this agreement, Lavrov explained.

"By withdrawing from the JCPOA, the United States has lost all its rights with respect to this document because there are a number of provisions that grant participants certain rights,” Lavrov stated in a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday.

“The US - and it seems not to be denying this fact - already forfeited all these rights," he said.

Lavrov added that the US is exerting significant pressure on remaining parties to Iranian nuclear deal.

That significant pressure will and has already been exerted on the remaining parties to the nuclear deal with Iran.

“The United States have already put forward ultimatums about the need to stop trade with Iran, including deliveries to certain products, including the purchase of Iranian oil.”

The minister added that the EU partners said that they were taking steps not to depend on the United States in its trade and economic relations with Iran.

"All other parties to the JCPOA for Iran’s nuclear program have reaffirmed their commitment to obligations so far," he said when asked if the United States could exert pressure on other participants in the deal.

"We are interested in discussing the issue with all countries remaining within the agreement on Iran’s nuclear program," he noted.

"We will see how resilient the Europeans will be this time, for in the past there were times when they eventually gave in to Washington, damaging their own legitimate interests," Lavrov added.

Moscow, meanwhile, said it is not seeking to play the role of mediator between the Iranians and Americans.